The Best Romances in Persona 5 Royal

by

Romance is a fun but optional part of Persona 5 Royal. As you play the lengthy game, Joker builds relationships with many characters, and reaching a high enough bond level with certain ones unlocks romantic storylines. There are 10 characters you can pursue a romance with, and it takes significant effort to max out each one – you’ll likely want to focus on a couple, though you can try for more. To see all the romance options, you’ll probably need to play the game multiple times.

Improving your Confidant ranks is a good goal, but romance options primarily serve as a nice bonus for finishing those storylines. They don’t drastically change the main story, and they don’t offer significant gameplay advantages. Think of romance as one of Joker’s leisure activities, like going to the batting cages or seeing a movie – it adds flavor to the game and lets you personalize his character a bit. However, some romantic relationships in Persona 5 Royal are more compelling than others.

Should You Even Bother With Romance In Persona 5 Royal?

Many RPGs with dating elements make you wonder if the romance is worth it. In Persona 5 Royal, romance is completely optional. You can finish the game without pursuing any romantic interests, and that’s perfectly fine! Building relationships (Social Links) is important for gameplay, but you don’t have to turn those friendships into romances if you don’t want to.

Despite not being essential, the romance options in Persona 5 Royal add a lot to the game. They’re focused on developing the characters you can befriend, giving them even more depth. Pursuing a romance unlocks special conversations and scenes, and helps you form a stronger emotional bond with those characters, which can be really impactful during the game’s ending. While some romances are better than others, they all make you more invested in the story – and that’s especially important in a long RPG that can take over 100 hours to complete.

Persona 5 Royal’s romance options require significant effort. You’ll need to build up your social skills, hit specific stat levels, and carefully plan your time. Focusing on one romantic interest often means sacrificing progress with others, and even then, the outcome isn’t always guaranteed.

10. Ichiko Ohya

Arcana: Devil

  • A paparazzi who used to be a respectable journalist.

Ohya is a solid supporting character who plays an important role at several points in the story. Her storyline, while not the most emotionally impactful, offers some interesting background on her life. Players learn she used to be a dedicated journalist before a tragic event and subsequent cover-up led her to alcoholism and a life spent pursuing lost memories.

Ohya’s story is interesting, but pursuing a romantic relationship with her doesn’t enhance it much. Her interactions with Joker are mostly lighthearted and teasing, and their connection feels more like a friendly one. Plus, the benefits you get from leveling up her Confidant aren’t particularly useful in the game.

Requirements To Romance Chihaya Mifune

  • After June 23, talk to Ohya in Crossroads to start her Confidant route.
  • When picking responses, don’t be overly confrontational.
  • At rank 8, you will need to complete the “Fighting for Truth in Journalism” optional quest.
  • At rank 9, pick “I took it seriously” and “I love you, Ichiko.”

9. Chihaya Mifune

Arcana: Fortune

  • A fortune teller whose Confidant lets players enjoy a ton of benefits

Chihaya isn’t the most popular romance option in Persona 5 Royal, but that’s not because her story is bad. She’s actually quite charming and enjoyable to get to know. However, it’s easy to miss her romance entirely if you don’t listen for rumors about a fortune teller in Shinjuku. Plus, progressing her story requires a 100,000 yen purchase, which can discourage players. And, if you don’t choose the right dialogue options, she’ll reject you, making it difficult to unlock her romance without knowing exactly what to do.

This character is charming and kind-hearted, making her a genuinely sweet person, though a little naive. Like other important characters in the game, she asks players for help with tasks in Mementos. The biggest benefit of building your relationship with her is unlocking an ability that automatically improves your connections with other characters – a huge time-saver! Fortunately, you don’t need to be in a romantic relationship with her to get this helpful ability.

Requirements To Romance Chihaya Mifune

  • Buy her Holy Stone for 100,000 yen.
  • Choose “You’re just Chihaya to me” while progressing to Rank 6.
  • Choose “Hell yeah I am” while progressing to Rank 8.
  • Complete the Mementos request “Debunking the Psychic!”
  • Choose “So I can be with you” while progressing to Rank 9.

8. Sadayo Kawakami

Arcana: Temperance

  • A high-school teacher who moonlights as a maid to make some extra cash

It’s definitely ethically questionable to pursue a romantic relationship with Kawakami. She’s significantly older than Joker and, more importantly, his teacher. While Kawakami is an enjoyable character with a compelling backstory that explains her job as a maid, it makes recommending this romance difficult.

Raising your relationship with Kawakami can be a bit unusual. You’ll spend time doing her chores or listening to her personal issues. The game requires a high Guts stat to call her, likely because she’s Joker’s teacher. While some players might be uncomfortable with the romance aspect, those who move past it will discover a truly kind and hardworking character. Kawakami is a selfless Persona 5 romance option who’s saving money to help others.

Requirements To Romance Sadayo Kawakami

  • Raise Guts to Level 3.
  • Choose “Think this through more” while progressing to Rank 7.
  • Complete the Mementos request “A Teacher Maid to Suffer.”
  • Choose “I want to keep seeing you,” “I mean what I say,” & “I’m a man; you’re a woman” while progressing to Rank 10.

7. Tae Takemi

Arcana: Death

  • A disgraced doctor who doesn’t stop believing in her experimental treatments

One of the more debated romantic options in Persona 5 is the goth doctor who provides medicine to the players. Her age is a major point of contention. Despite this, she’s a compelling character, standing out from the other romance options in Persona 5 Royal with her unique and mysterious personality. While she isn’t as central to the main story as the Phantom Thief girls, and the age difference raises ethical concerns, she offers a different kind of connection.

Despite some questionable choices, like experimenting with drugs on a student, Tae is a genuinely kind and fun person. Luckily, her experiments have positive outcomes, and being around her actually makes the clinic’s healing items more effective.

Requirements To Romance Tae Takemi

  • Raise Guts to Rank 2.
  • Raise Charm to Rank 4.
  • Choose “I’m glad you did” while progressing to Rank 7.
  • Choose “I’m your ally” while getting the Mementos request.
  • Complete the Mementos request “Bad Medicine.”
  • Choose “It’s for Miwa-chan” while progressing to Rank 8.
  • Choose I wanted to see you,” “I love you,” & “It isn’t a joke” while progressing to Rank 9.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Your Order

Results

—

— —

More Games

6. Futaba Sakura

Arcana: Hermit

  • A hikikomori who slowly gets over her trauma after the Phantom Thieves save her

Futaba is a unique character because she requests Joker to steal her heart – a request that’s never been made before. She joins the Phantom Thieves after a particularly memorable palace. Her relationship with Joker’s guardian, Sojiro, is also quite compelling, and it’s amusing to see Sojiro’s reaction if you choose to pursue a romantic relationship with Futaba.

Developing a romantic relationship with Futaba helps her become more outgoing and comfortable around others. This connection relies heavily on trust and interaction with Joker, making it a very rewarding relationship. However, their everyday interactions often feel more like a close sibling bond than a romance, which can make the transition to a romantic connection feel a little strange compared to Joker’s relationships with other characters in Persona 5.

Requirements To Romance Futaba Sakura

  • Raise Kindness to Rank 4.
  • Complete the Mementos request “Daughter’s Just a Meal Ticket.”
  • Choose “Because I love you” while progressing to Rank 10.

5. Haru Okumura

Arcana: Empress

  • A bubbly, kind-hearted girl who hates the evil associated with her family business

Fans adore Haru, and many are frustrated she doesn’t appear until later in the game – often after players have already chosen a romantic interest. But skipping her storyline is a mistake! She’s a wonderful character – kind, cute, and surprisingly strong – and players will quickly find themselves wanting to protect her.

This character’s love story is complicated by the fact that she’s in a forced marriage with someone unpleasant. Developing a romance with her adds extra conflict to the main plot, but she’s a complex character with a lot going on. It’s unfortunate that players unlock her so late in the game – she could have been a more compelling romantic option if she’d been available sooner. Requiring players to reach maximum social skill level to further their relationship with her, when she’s already introduced late in the story, makes it even more challenging.

Requirements To Romance Haru Okumura

  • Raise Proficiency to Max Level.
  • Reach November 25 on the calendar.
  • Choose “I like you too, Haru” while progressing to Rank 9.

4. Hifumi Togo

Arcana: Star

  • A shogi prodigy who’s buckling under the weight of the pressure her mother is heaping on her

Hifumi is a potential romantic interest for Joker who isn’t a member of the Phantom Thieves. She attends the same high school as Yusuke and is a skilled Shogi player – in fact, she’s a champion! She initially teaches Joker how to play, but her enthusiasm for the game diminishes when her mother begins to exploit her talent to fulfill her own unfulfilled ambitions.

She’s a bit challenging to fully develop and doesn’t play a major role in the story, but she’s considered one of the best characters to romance in Persona 5. Since she’s a fellow high school student like the protagonist, Joker, she feels relatable. While she isn’t part of the Phantom Thieves, her Confidant ability is incredibly useful. She allows you to switch party members during combat, which can be a game-changer. This ability makes battles more exciting and gives you the flexibility to adapt your strategy on the fly.

Requirements To Romance Hifumi Togo

  • Raise Charm to Level 3.
  • Raise Knowledge to Max Level.
  • Complete the Mementos request “Upstaging the Stage Mother.”
  • Choose “I want to stay by your side” & “I want us to date” while progressing to Rank 9.

3. Kasumi Yoshizawa

Arcana: Faith

  • A gymnast whose past holds a ton of revelations that players uncover during the Epilogue

In Persona 5 Royal, players can romance a new character: Kasumi Yoshizawa, a talented gymnast. While some fans wished for a romance with Akechi, Kasumi offers one of the most heartwarming and genuine relationships in the entire game, even compared to the other characters you can build connections with.

Kasumi is a kind, reserved, and self-assured character, and it’s incredibly touching to see her become more open as Joker gets to know her. Her Confidant ranks 9 and 10 are especially enjoyable, particularly rank 9, where Joker reveals his playful and charming side after they confess their feelings for each other.

Requirements To Romance Kasumi Yoshizawa

  • Reach Rank 9 of Maruki’s Confidant before November 18.
  • Choose “I love you too” while progressing to Rank 9.

2. Makoto Niijima

Arcana: Priestess

  • A member of the student council who finally decides to fight back against her oppressors

Makoto is incredibly popular with fans, who often see her as the ideal romantic partner in the game. She’s fairly easy to build a relationship with and plays a significant role in the story – her sister is the one who repeatedly questions Joker. She’s a valuable member of the Phantom Thieves, and the fact that her Persona transforms into a motorcycle just adds to how awesome she is.

Makoto usually appears calm and serious, but players who romance her get to see a surprisingly flustered and shy side. This charming change makes her one of the very best characters to pursue a relationship with in Persona 5.

Requirements To Romance Makoto Niijima

  • Raise Knowledge to Rank 3.
  • Raise Charm to Max Level.
  • Choose I’ll be your study partner” & “I do” while progressing to Rank 10.

1. Ann Takamaki

Arcana: Lovers

  • A misunderstood student who aspires to be a successful model

Ann is a unique character as the first female member of the Phantom Thieves, leading to a lot of interaction with Joker. Several characters, including Ryuji and Morgana, develop strong crushes on her. These affections can become quite prominent – and even amusing – throughout the game, and some players might even enjoy the romance route with Ann specifically to see Ryuji and Morgana react.

Although you can develop relationships with many characters in Persona 5 Royal, Ann feels like the developer’s preferred choice for Joker’s partner. She’s the first female character you meet and was prominently featured in the original game’s marketing more than anyone else. Plus, exploring her romance reveals a surprisingly deep and complex backstory. It’s possible the developers are right – Ann might be the most compelling character to romance in Persona 5.

Requirements To Romance Ann Takamaki

  • Raise Kindness to Level 2.
  • Choose “You have me.” while progressing to Rank 10.

Can You Just Date Everyone In Persona 5 Royal?

Feeling adventurous? In Persona 5 Royal, Joker actually has the option to pursue romantic relationships with multiple characters – a surprisingly ambitious goal! The game doesn’t force you to choose just one love interest. Once you max out a Confidant’s rank to 10, a romantic path becomes available. While it’s probably best to focus on a single character, Joker is free to explore romances with anyone he chooses.

Persona 5 Royal doesn’t penalize players for pursuing multiple romantic interests. Romancing different characters is mostly just a fun side activity and won’t affect your stats or how the game plays. Mechanically, there are no real downsides. However, Joker’s actions do have narrative consequences, and these will culminate during the Valentine’s Day events.

I won’t give away the ending, but the romance scene is easily the most unforgettable moment in the game.

Best Romance for First-Time Players

Given the character rankings, many players would expect Ann to be the best romance option. She’s considered the strongest romantic partner and is available earliest in the game, giving players ample time to max out her relationship. Although none of the romances are officially confirmed by the story, the narrative hints that Ann is the most likely choice for a girlfriend.

When it comes to romance, don’t overthink it! Just choose the character you feel the strongest connection with. Whether that’s Ann, Makoto, or someone else, go with your gut. If you decide on a character who appears later in the story, you’ll need to spend extra time building your relationship with them, but your previous choices won’t affect things.

Beyond some minor gameplay additions, the real benefit of building a relationship with a character in Persona 5 Royal is simply getting to know them better. You’ll unlock special scenes and moments you wouldn’t see otherwise, and that extra time spent together is truly rewarding.

Best Romance For Each Player Type

We’ve now ranked all of Joker’s possible love interests in Persona 5 Royal, and Ann came out on top! While we think our ranking is solid, we know everyone has different tastes. What one player looks for in a romance isn’t necessarily what another player wants. So, this section offers personalized recommendations based on your preferences, rather than just what makes a ‘good’ romance overall.

While repeats might happen, we are going to try to avoid them whenever possible.

Player Type Romance Why It Fits
Players Who Love Emotional Depth Makoto Niijima Along with showing strong character development, this route allows Makoto to showcase a vulnerability that is mostly absent from her core story. While Ann feels the most canon romance, Makoto also makes sense from a story perspective, and the relationship’s emotional payoff is worthwhile.
Players Looking for Wholesome, Feel-Good Vibes Haru Okumura A low drama route that is defined by Haru’s gentle personality. If you are looking for a comforting and warm romance to juxtapose with the high-stakes main story, Haru is the queen of fluffy feels.
Players Who Want Maximum Drama Harem You could go with Tae or Sadayo due to the taboo nature of those relationships, but the harem route is by far the best option for anybody who chooses chaos.
Completionists Ann Takamaki Ann’s confidant route synergizes best with the story, and it is arguably the most cohesive and balanced. Her early introduction also lets you pace out the romance evenly throughout the campaign.

Read More

2026-03-30 17:38